I was low enough to the water that all I could see were the deep blue swells around me.
That and the stone spike that jutted above the surf.
Flapping harder than I needed to, I pulled high then coasted along with the breeze towards my destination.
Waves thundered against the craggy shore, shooting salty spray high into the air. My feathers were dusted by the briny mixture as I swooped low on my approach to the rocky column. As the wind met the island, it went high, carrying me skyward with it.
Hundreds of sea birds screamed around me, perched on the sheer rock face or wheeling in the sky. Every surface above the tide line was covered in guano, even reaching to the top of the spire.
Late January was too early for the birds to be building nests, but it didn't stop them from bickering over prime perches.
I flew close to the cliff, earning harsh cries from the occupants. It wasn't until my third pass that I accomplished my goal.
Feathers touched feathers, my spirit splintered once more.
I was two gulls, then the new gull's immediate neighbors made four.
It was slow going at first, waiting for the right opportunity to brush past in flight or bump into a neighbor. I had learned my lesson. If I was too obvious, or showed my spirit form, the whole colony would scatter and avoid those I had already possessed. Gulls and Cormorants were easier to trick than crows but being cautious was worth avoiding the hassle.
Exponential growth was on my side and soon enough I hit a critical number. The last half took a tenth the time to control as the first half. Before long, the entire colony was me.
I released control over my trojan gull, who gave a confused shriek and headed towards where I had first possessed it, another seabird colony a few miles up the coast.
My consciousnesses consorted, searching the newly acquired colony for the healthiest, most recently fed birds to make the trip down the coast to the next nesting site. I had no desire to harm the birds.
Selection made, I guided the gull south. At the same time I soared high with another gull for a more selfish reason.
The feet of the mountainous clouds on the horizon were at my eye level, looking to be a monumental landscape drifting lazily towards me. Far below the individual waves blurred together to become beautiful bands of blue and white. Inland, rolling hills gave way to blue mountains, dressed in crisp white snow.
"Fossil, are you alright?" Mipha said, causing me to open my eyes.
I wiped a tear from my cheek, "Yep, just saw something amazing." I said.
"Where were you?" Mipha said, her hand brushed through my hair.
"I'm on a gorgeous woman's lap." I grinned, rolling over to look straight up and see Mipha's face.
She giggled softly, "You know what I meant Fossil." My heart melted at the sound of her laugh.
"I made it to the sea last night, now I'm flying around as a seagull. The coastline looks so amazing from high above." I said, glancing over at the tv screen. It was paused, the dramatic music lowered to a gentle hum, "Where's Zelda?"
"She is in the toilet." Mipha said.
"In that case, I wanted to run an idea by you." I whispered conspiratorially. "How would you feel about Alfa and Bravo holding you while I go down on you?"
Mipha bit her lip, glancing nervously at the bathroom door, "I do not know, perhaps? The thought feels uncomfortable somehow. I appreciate your commitment to solving this dilemma, but you should focus your energies on the coming battle." Mipha said quietly.
"Alfa's got it under control, I suggested him joining in because I think he needs to blow off some steam. He's wound tighter than I've ever been." I said, nuzzling into Mipha's belly.
"That is part of the reason for my discomfort. Your copies, Alfa especially, I see them as their own persons. Even entertaining the idea of being with them feels wrong." Mipha said.
"Alright, I won't suggest it again. I really want to figure out a solution to this though, we were so close last time, and you were able to stop as soon as I said it was painful." I said, as I wiggled my fingers in front my face.
"I do not know why you continue to risk your wellbeing for my sake, or why I let you." Mipha said with a huff, though I couldn't detect any anger in her tone.
"Hey, I knew dating a woman of steel would have its challenges. I'm certainly not complaining about the seconds it takes for you heal my bruised hand." I said, "Besides, I'm not going to give up when you do so much for me. It doesn't feel fair. We'll figure something out. Then we can have all the bed breaking sex we want."
"Fossil, she'll hear you." Mipha pleaded, looking once more at the bathroom door. Her amber eyes were wide, begging, captivating. I could stare into those eyes for hours.
"Alright, I'll keep quiet, no worries." I said, keeping my voice low.
"You can be so troublesome at times." Mipha said.
"I'll take that as a compliment." I said, "Though that does bring me to another question I have for you."
"What is it Fossil?"
"Would you like to go on a road trip with me down to the coast for a few days? I'd like to make it up to you for the last trip." I said, tensed with anticipation.
"What about the new arrival?" Mipha said, brow furrowed.
"Already ran it by Alfa, he can handle catching them up to speed. He seemed kinda excited at the prospect of me being gone." I said. "We'll greet them tonight at midnight, then head out in the morning. Just me and you, what do you say?"
"Fossil I would love to. However, we only have five weeks left, we should be preparing with the others." Mipha said.
"We would also be running an errand. Charlie thinks some of the local stores are getting suspicious, so we could stop by all the stores on our way to the coast." I said. "Someone needs to do it anyway and we'll get some alone time in the process."
"In that case, yes I would like to go."
"Just like that?"
"Yes, Fossil. A trip to the coast would be wonderful." Mipha said, her face lighting up.
I bounced in excitement, "Yes! I've been scouting for the perfect place. I found a beach surrounded by cliffs that humans can't reach. It is a ways to drive but we'd have total privacy. Of course there are a ton of gulls there, but I could have them clear away.. Unless you like the sound of gulls then I could..."
Mipha stopped my rambling, pulling me into a tight embrace, red lips pressed to mine. My thoughts came to a halt, as I lost myself to Mipha's lips. Even when we broke our embrace, our lips didn't stray apart. Our arms grasped for eachother, my fingers exploring her soft skin.
The sound of Zelda clearing her throat brought us out of our make out session, our arms flailing.
"Right then, Fossil finally mentioned the beach trip I take it?" Zelda said, arms crossed. Mipha and I nodded in embarrassment. "While you are out I need you to buy me a weapon. I haven't been able to replicate the feats the other Zeldas have in this game, so I'll need an alternative. The weapons used by this Snake fellow seem rather effective."
Zelda unpaused the game. She was mid fight with Galeem, playing as Snake. The speakers rumbled, the screen flashed.
"Case in point." Zelda said, gesturing with her controller as she paused game again.
"That does look useful, though I wish I still had my trident." Mipha said.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Zelda, I'm not able to buy you a rocket-propelled grenade. Or a mortar for that matter. A handgun yes, a rifle yes, but no military weapons." I said.
"The law doesn't matter in times like these, we need to get our hands on every tool available." Zelda said.
"I agree, but I am not trained to use those and that game doesn't accurately show how those weapons work. We would be just as likely to blow ourselves up as blowing up Galeem." I said.
"If I can get someone to teach me, can we look into acquiring military weapons?" Zelda said.
"Sure, if Snake or someone else with weapons training shows up, but for now let's avoid the risk." I said.
Zelda conceded, and resumed playing through the battle against Galeem.
Mipha and I watched in silence as Zelda fought and destroyed the enemy that kept me awake at night.
"I fear our greatest challenge will be destroying both Galeem and Dharkon at the same time." Zelda said softly as we watched the cut scene of Dharkon consuming reality.
"We shouldn't talk about fighting Dharkon, I'm still not convinced it can't read our minds." I said.
"If it can, there is no way it doesn't know we will attack it in the final battle. If it can't there is still no doubt it intends to betray us." Zelda said. "We need to prepare to overpower both and be on our guard in case Dharkon's betrayal comes sooner."
Our dark musings were interrupted by the sound of a gator outside. Two sets of foot falls marched up the front steps and the door was pushed open.
"Lunch is here!" Charlie shouted as he entered the house, arms laden with bags. Bravo followed, similarly burdened, but wearing my winter uniform as opposed to Charlie's casual wear.
"Island is secure, Oak Island is clear as well." Bravo said, "Where's Alfa and Delta."
"They should be in the farm house, last I heard they were working on patching the south wall. I'm surprised they didn't hear you." I said.
"We did," Delta said, entering the doublewide behind Bravo. "Alfa wanted to finish up before getting food. I'm starving however."
Charlie and Bravo arranged a buffet line on the kitchen counter, then handed out plates.
"Mipha, I've got your food here!" Charlie shouted through the crowd.
"Thank you!" Mipha called out, reaching over my copies to take the box from Charlie.
I was nearly through the food line when Alfa walked in.
"How did the last trip go Charlie?" Alfa said, peeling off grimey layers.
"Good, got three fifty from the last place. I don't think we should risk selling any more gold in the area though. The guy at the counter said he'd heard about me and offered condolences. I think he was fishing to see if my cover story was the same as elsewhere." Charlie said.
"The inheritance story was only going to carry us so far. We've moved a half a kilo though, and can probably sell the dresses as well." Alfa said, "Maybe Mipha's Peach dress will have other precious materials we could sell."
"Alfa, we can talk shop later. Eat something before you get crabby!" I shouted from the kitchen.
I could hear Alfa grumbling, but he didn't argue, heaping chow mein onto his plate.
Chatter gave way to the sounds of eating. I occupied the couch with Mipha next to me, Zelda in the chair and my copies perched on the stools brought from the kitchen.
It was rare for all of my named copies to be in one room. Arranged in a line, all the differences, subtle and otherwise were on clear display. Alfa's blonde hair was wild, finger combed, and dark circles were visible under his eyes, shoulders slumped. Bravo had trimmed his hair and beard, still in uniform He had taken to managing our ranger role and security of the islands and looked the most professional of all of us. Charlie was clean shaven, exposing a chin I hadn't seen in a decade, as an attempt to look different from the rest of us for the errands he was always running. Delta was new, having been an earthworm until yesterday when Alfa needed help lifting building materials. No longer wearing the uniform we all appeared with, Delta had yet to distinguish himself from me.
As people finished with their meals, Bravo collected cleared plates. "After my patrol I thought I'd take a look at the broken gator." Bravo said, "Anyone free to lend a hand?"
"I would, if you don't mind teaching me as we went?" Zelda said.
"Not at all, I'll be learning as we go as well." Bravo said from the kitchen.
"A second working gator would be great, especially once we get more copies." Alfa said.
"We've talked about this Alfa, we should hold off until more fighters arrive. More copies might get in the way." I said.
"We can house a dozen people in the farm house, maybe not comfortably but I don't think anyone of us minds a few weeks in sleeping bags. I've almost finished the walls and all that is left is replacing the west window panes." Alfa said.
"I'm more worried about after, five of us is manageable, but I don't think any of us wants to go back to being worms after this is all over." Delta said.
"There might not be an after if we don't get all the help we can get." Alfa said.
"Guys, let's hold off on this till we see who shows up tonight. With luck, we'll get a new power that can help in the fight." Charlie said.
"That reminds me, I want to be there when we wake them up." Alfa said.
"No." I said.
"Why not?" Alfa said.
"You look like a mess dude," Bravo said. "Probably not the best first impression if you were there."
"Yeah and when was the last time you showered, or slept for that matter." I said.
"Not since before I showed up." Delta added. "You need to get some rest bud."
"Alright, alright, I'll shower. After I finish the windows, I wanted to wait until the hot water was back anyway. I don't see how any of you can sleep though, with this hanging over our heads." Alfa said, gesturing at the paused screen behind the line of my copies.
"I've got the windows, don't stress about it." Delta said.
"After your shower, please get some rest. You clearly need it, we've got things handled and the new fighter won't be here till midnight at the soonest." I said, "Use my bedroom, I know it's more comfortable than the sleeping bags. If you do that, I'll make sure someone swings by and wakes you before we head out."
Alfa nodded, before grabbing a towel, weaving through the crowd and stepping into the bathroom.
"That was strange to watch." Zelda said, giving Mipha a glance.
"It was strange to say out loud." I said, "I hope he is able to relax soon."
"Agreed, though if you'll excuse me, I'll go do my afternoon patrol." Bravo said as he pulled on his coat. "I'll come find you when I get back Zelda."
With that said, he stepped out the front door. Delta followed him out to work on the farm house.
"Guess I'll take dishes duty, " Charlie said as he made his way to the kitchen, leaving me and the two princesses alone.
"Are you certain Alfa will be able to handle things while we are gone?" Mipha said.
"Positive, he's me after all. Just stressing out a bit. Probably a little cuddle deprived." I said.
"I am sorry, but I will not help him with that." Mipha said.
"Fine…" I said, rolling my eyes with as much drama as I could manage. I snuck Zelda a mischievous glance.
"Don't look at me. Why don't you cuddle him?" Zelda said.
"I mean, I could. It would be a little weird though." I said.
"You could always put on the super crown first." Zelda said with a chuckle.
"Ummm." I didn't trust myself to respond to that.
"WE'VE ALL THOUGHT ABOUT IT." Charlie shouted from the kitchen, far louder than necessary.
Mipha and Zelda burst into laughter, while my face felt like it was burning. "Thanks Charlie, really glad you shared that with everyone on the island." I said.
"NO PROBLEM!" Charlie shouted, before the clatter of dishes resumed.
When the princesses calmed down, they focused back on the screen. Zelda played through the final battles against Galeem and Dharkon in game, pausing frequently to allow discussion on the tactics both entities use, what weapons would be most effective and more.
At some point my body nodded off, head nestled in Mipha's lap. I drifted through the sea of consciousness, watching through the eyes of a million different creatures.
I watched Oak Island through the eyes of a thousand crows, the murder scattered all throughout the river valley to watch the island from all angles.
I saw through Bravo's eyes as he finished his tour of the island, parking out in front. He poked his head through the front door and spotted my sleeping form between Mipha and Zelda.
Zelda nodded and stood up slowly, clearly intending to let me rest. She snuck over to the door, as Mipha draped her arm over me and shuffled back and forth, sinking deeper into the cushions.
"I don't recall, did Fossil show you the insides of the gator yet?" Bravo said as the pair made their way over to the machine shed.
"No, we haven't found the time, what with all our work gathering the gold from my super crown dresses. I'm curious to see if the gator resembles Shiekah technology." Zelda said.
"Hmm, probably not. Superficially maybe." Bravo said as they entered the shed. He approached the broken vehicle and lifted up the bed. "Here we are."
"Fascinating," Zelda said, leaning over the engine block. "There aren't any light channels. How does it operate?"
"Internal combustion, inside this part right here." Bravo said, gesturing to the engine block. He went on to describe the individual parts, answering questions as Zelda asked them.
My focus shifted to Delta as he put sealant along the edge of the window pane.
Then I shifted to Charlie in the kitchen, who was bouncing along to music unheard.
I couldn't sense Alfa, no doubt due to him sleeping.
I woke briefly when everyone trickled in for dinner. We devoured the leftovers from lunch, then went our separate ways.
Dinner finished, I made my way back to the couch and shut my eyes for what felt like a moment, before riding behind the eyes of gulls once more.
"Fossil, you need to wake up." Mipha said, shaking me gently.
"I'm up, I'm up. What time is it?" I said, peeking outside to find it pitch black.
"Just past eleven." Mipha said. I stood and got on my layers while Mipha went to get Zelda and Alfa.
The four of us gathered, the two princesses showing no sign sleepiness. Bundled up, we trudged out into the cold night air.
I drove the gator while Zelda rode in the passenger seat. Alpha and Mipha walked ahead, using the headlights of the gator to avoid patches of ice or stray roots.
The trip to the glade wasn't long, even with two on foot. When we arrived we found the glade to be empty.
"Let's hope our prediction is right. Could be a long night otherwise." I said, glancing at my phone. Reaching into the gator bed, I pulled a blanket around my torso for extra warmth and grabbed a pair of thermoses from beneath the blankets. Catching Alfa's attention, I tossed him a thermos, then tossed the second to Mipha.
"We can take shifts if need be. I'm fine staying out here all night." Alfa said.
We waited in the cold, giving the spot where the statues had appeared a wide berth. When my legs started to fall asleep I made my way over to Mipha and wrapped the blanket around us both.
Minutes away from midnight and there was no sign of change. All of us were visibly tense, ready to move if needed.
Moments from midnight, a ripple appeared. A soft glow emanated from above the point of arrival, which grew brighter by the second.
Reality split, pouring light into the glade. Snow on the ground and tree branches caught the light, reflecting it, surrounding us in a sea of blinding white blaze.
When the light subsided, the gators headlights appeared faded to my dazzled eyes.
In the glade, a new pedestal had appeared.
Four statues were above the pedestal. Two stood atop it, the other two floated, fixed in place.
"That doesn't make sense, didn't she already appear when Mipha arrive?" Zelda said.
"Could be another copy, or I guess the real one." I said, not moving forward.
Samus Aran stood upon the pedestal, wearing her iconic orange and red Varia suit. Beside her, stood a woman with pale skin, black yoga pants and a blue shirt with the words 'Wii Fit' embellishing the front.
The way the Wii Fit trainer's eyes seemed to blend into her skin disturbed me, though not as much as the two floating statues. A heavy iron chain stretched behind the black sphere, as if holding it back. The eyed sphere was split wide, revealing a tooth filled maw, ready to bite.
Last was a floating oversized right hand, wearing a white glove.
"Well, time to wake Samus up." Alfa said, stepping towards the statues.
"Shouldn't we go over who the others are? In case it isn't Samus, I'd like to be prepared." Zelda said.
"I already know it's going to be Samus, and have a good idea what effect the spirits are going to have on her." Alfa said.
"How are you so sure? I'm not sure." I said, hesitantly.
Alfa gave me a scathing look, "Come on Fossil, Master Hand, Chain Chomp, Whispy. I know you've made the connection, even if you are lying to yourself about it."
"What are you talking about? Mipha did you figure out what that spirit was doing?" Zelda said.
Mipha pulled a hand in front of her mouth, "I think we should trust Alfa on this princess." Mipha said.
I nodded, wanting to move the process along before we revealed Whispy's influence to Zelda. "Alright, she might be a little hostile at first, being dropped into a strange new world, but Samus is a hero, so I'm sure we have nothing to worry about." I said. "Want to do the honors?"
Alfa nodded and reached out, tapping Samus on her outreached arm cannon.
Once more, the glade was filled light.